TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis, who in his first week in office made major environmental proposals, declined Friday to discuss what he believes causes climate change.

He said he just wants to fix environmental problems in the state.

"I'm not even as concerned as this caused that, or that caused that. If you have water in the streets, you have to find a way to combat that, and we are going to do that," DeSantis told reporters during a news conference.

Buy Photo

On his third day in office, following appearances in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of all South Florida Water Management District board members and said he would overturn about 80 last-minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Flagler Place in Stuart.(Photo: LEAH VOSS/TCPALM)

On paper, his commitment to the environment so far has been strong. He has issued an executive order that seeks $2.5 billion in the next four years to combat red tide and blue-green algae blooms and to restore the Everglades. That would be $1 billion more in spending than the previous four years of the last administration, although it's not yet clear exactly where he would get that money.

But DeSantis does not appear too concerned about that. He thinks the Florida Legislature will work with him to get the money because a majority of Floridians want the environment protected, making it a bipartisan issue, he said.

"How the Legislature was divided (on this) in the past is probably yesterday," DeSantis said. "I just think that there is this huge majority in Florida who support us getting this right that I think the Legislature is going to listen."

Historically, the Republican-led Legislature has been friendly to agricultural interests, including the sugar industry, which DeSantis criticized on the campaign trail. Big Sugar has been blamed for nutrient pollution that contributes to toxic algae blooms, but sugar farmers cite leaky septic tanks and runoff farther downstream.

"At the end of the day, what we have been able to show is that these issues in Florida do not fall on partisan lines," DeSantis said.

His executive order calls for the creation of a Blue-Green Toxic Algae Task Force that will determine the largest and most meaningful nutrient reductions in key bodies of water, as well as make recommendations for regulatory changes.

CLOSE

The executive order, called Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment, is meant to "combat the threats which have devastated our local economies ... "
Andrew West, News-Press

"I think you have a lot of nutrients put into Lake Okeechobee, then obviously when the Army Corps discharges that water, that is aggravating some of the algae blooms that have caused huge problems in both our coasts," DeSantis said.

Scientists agree higher temperatures from climate change also are contributing to algae blooms. DeSantis wants to study how that affects Florida; he has called for a chief science officer to be appointed to prioritize analysis of "emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians."

Under his executive order, DeSantis also created the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency, which will be tasked with ensuring all agency actions are aligned with DeSantis' environmental priorities.

On the campaign trail, DeSantis said he did not consider himself a "climate change denier," but he also said he did not want to be labeled a "climate change believer." It was a fine political line he toed to not ruffle the feathers of his conservative base, which often sees the term as toxic.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis (left), U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (not pictured) and State Rep. Gayle Harrell (not pictured) during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

On his third day in office, following appearances in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of all South Florida Water Management District board members and said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his call for the immediate resignations of the South Florida Water Management District board members on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, flanked by his wife, Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and State Rep. Gayle Harrell during a news conference at Flagler Place in Stuart. DeSantis also said he would overturn about 80 last minute appointments from the former governor, now U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. At earlier appearances Thursday in Bonita Springs and Sarasota, DeSantis announced an executive order focusing on several water policies, including major increases in Everglades restoration funding and a blue-green algae task force. LEAH VOSS/TCPALM

The phrase "climate change," for example, is not mentioned once in DeSantis' plan, one that has been lauded by both Democrats and Republicans as "bold." His proposal, however, does allude to rising sea levels and his desire to work with local governments to prioritize "flood mitigation."

But when a reporter asked specifically if he agreed with many scientists who say humans are the cause of climate change, DeSantis did not answer and instead took another question.